The time, subject and style of Hosea's prophecy

The prophet Hosea prophesied during the same period of time as
Isaiah; but he is more occupied with the existing condition of
the people, and especially of Israel, although he often speaks of
Judah likewise. His prophecy is more simple in its character than
that of Isaiah. His style on the contrary, is extremely
energetic, and full of abrupt transitions. The reign of that king
of Israel, which is given as a date to the prophecy, was
outwardly a moment of prosperity to that portion of the land. The
prophecy itself will inform us of its moral condition. The
patience of God bore long with the rebellion of His people taking
pity on their affliction (see 2 Kings 17), even as long as this
patience could be a testimony to the real character of the God
who exercised it, and did not deny holiness and righteousness,
nor give a sanction to sin, so that it was still possible to
bless the people, without sacrificing all true testimony (even in
the eyes of the heathen) to what God is -- in a word, "until
there was no remedy."

The length of Hosea's witness to Israel

Jeroboam reigned during a period which commenced some years
before the reigns of Uzziah, etc., kings of Judah. Uzziah began
his reign fourteen years before the end of Jeroboam's reign. He
reigned fifty-two years; Jotham reigned sixteen years; Ahaz,
sixteen years; Hezekiah, twenty-nine years. So that Hosea
prophesied over fifty years, [1] and perhaps longer; being a
witness, during those long years, to Israel's rebellion against
Jehovah, his heart grieved and broken by the iniquity of a people
whom he loved, and whose happiness, as being the people of
Jehovah, he had at heart.

The twofold division of the prophecy

The prophecy of Hosea is divided into two parts: the
revelation of God's purposes with respect to Israel; and the
remonstrances which the prophet addresses to the people in the
name of Jehovah. In this latter part he frequently speaks of
Israel as a whole; frequently also he distinguishes between
Israel or Ephraim and Judah. But I do not see that he addresses
himself directly to Ephraim (that is, to the ten tribes). He
speaks of Ephraim, but not to Ephraim. Moreover, this is the
general character of his prophecy -- a kind of prolonged
lamentation, expressing his anguish at the people's condition,
while unfolding all the dealings of God towards them, except
chapter 14, in which he calls Israel to such a repentance as
shall take place in the last days.

[1] The reign of Jotham was as to some part, possibly the most of it,
coincident with that of Uzziah, who was put aside as a leper.